SLIP-STITCH BRA LISA SHROYER

I wanted to make a novelty bra that could be fun and still fairly functional. A slip- stitch “underwire” with a single-crochet edge gives support at the bottom of the cups, while a slip-stitch column between the cups creates a strong join and slightly gathers the fabric around it. The straps—a halter strap, two shoulder straps, and one strap criss-crossed across the back—[I think of a halter top as having two straps tied behind the neck. I don’t “see” the halter, then two straps, then one. Are there lots of straps or are these alternatives?]are worked as crochet chains with two yarns held together. The yarn is very soft and yummy against the skin.

STITCH GUIDE Sssk: Sl 3 sts kwise one at a time. Insert left needle into front of all 3 sts, from left to right, and knit 3 sts tog through back loops with right needle—2 sts dec’d

NOTES N Bra is worked from the bottom long edge upward, where the cups are divided and worked separately.

BRA work in patt to last 5 sts, k2tog, sl 1, k1, With MC, CO 91 sts. Next row: (RS) sl 1. Cont right cup as foll: *Sl 1 pwise with yarn in back (wyb), k1; Row 1: (WS) Purl to last 2 sts, sl 2 sts rep from * to last st, sl 1 pwise. Next with wyf. PROJECT E row: (WS) Purl. Rep last 2 rows 1 more Row 2: (RS) K1, ssk, knit to last 5 sts, time. Next row: (RS) Sl 1, k1, sl 1, k41, k2tog, sl 1, k1, sl 1. sl 1, k1, sl 1, knit to last 3 sts, sl 1, k1, sl Rep Rows 1 and 2 until 7 sts rem. Purl 1 LISA SHROYER is project editor of 1. Next row: (WS) Purl. Rep last 2 rows WS row. BO all sts. Crochet underwire: 1 Interweave Knits. She lives in Philadel- until piece measures 1 ⁄2" from CO. With crochet hook and CC, work 2 rows phia, Pennsylvania. Shape cups: (RS) Sl 1, k1, sl 1, k19, ssk of sc (see page 2) along CO edge, work- (see page 2), k1, k2tog, k17, sl 1, k1, sl 1, ing 1 sc per knitted (not slipped) st. k17, ssk, k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, sl 1, Fasten off.

1 Finished Size Cups: 6 ⁄4" across at widest k1, sl 1—4 sts dec’d. Cont in St st with point, and 6" high at tallest point. Overall slipped-st selvedges and center line as STRAPS bust circumference: 32"–36". Bust circum- established, and rep the shaping of the Side tabs: With crochet hook and CC, ference can be adjusted with length of back last row every RS row 4 more times starting at bottom-right corner of left straps. (10 sts total removed at center of each cup (at CO edge), work [sc in selvedge Yarn Fonty Primavera (50% cotton, cup), and at the same time, when piece st, ch 1] 6 times evenly spaced along first 50% acrylic; 137 yd [125 m]/50 g): measures 2" from CO, shape sides of cups 2" of cup (straight edge before shaping). #466 pink (MC), 1 ball. Heirloom Breeze as foll: Turn, dc (see page 2) in first sc, ch 2, *dc (69.6% cotton, 30% wool, .4% Lycra; Row 1: (RS) Sl 1, k1, sl 1, ssk, work in in next ch-1 sp, ch 2; rep from * 3 more 105 yd [96 m]/50 g): #019 magenta, 1 ball. patt to 2 sts before first slipped st of cen- times, end dc in last sc. Fasten off. Rep Yarns distributed by Russi Sales. ter line, k2tog, turn. side tab for right cup, beg at top of Needles Size 5 (3.75 mm). Adjust needle Working left cup separately, cont as foll: straight edge and working toward CO size if necessary to obtain the correct Row 2: (WS) Sl 2 sts pwise with yarn in edge. Halter loops: With crochet hook gauge. front (wyf), purl to end. and MC, join yarn to top BO edge of left Notions Size F/6 (4 mm) crochet hook; Row 3: Sl 1, k1, sl 1, ssk, work in patt to cup. Ch 5 and join with sl st (see page 2) tapestry needle. last 3 sts of left cup, k2tog, k1 turn. to far end of BO edge. Fasten off. Rep for 1 1 Gauge 5 ⁄2 sts and 8 ⁄2 rows = 1" in St st Rep Rows 2 and 3 until 7 sts rem. Purl 1 right cup. Halter strap: With crochet with MC. WS row. BO all sts. Right cup: With RS hook and MC and CC held tog, work a facing, rejoin yarn to inner edge of right chain 28" long. Do not fasten off. cup (first st should be first slipped st of Thread chain through left-cup halter center line). Sssk (see Stitch Guide), loop, pulling chain through so loop falls

© Interweave Press LLC, Interweave Knits magazine. 1 I Spring 2007 I INTERWEAVE KNITS I www.interweave.com Not to be reprinted. All rights reserved. at halfway point of chain. Take one end slipknot. Join chain to top dc of left-cup side tab, then of chain and thread through right-cup side tab with sl st, then work sc down through top ch-2 sp

halter loop. Join ends of chain tog with side tab to last dc, fasten off. Rep shoul- of right side tab, Bra Slip-stitch sl st, creating a doubled strap. Shoulder der strap for right cup. Back strap: With then, with crochet E straps: With MC and CC held tog, and crochet hook and MC and CC held tog, hook and starting tail beg at left-cup halter loop, join yarns to work a 32" chain. Join chain to bottom of chain, join chain to bottom ch-2 sp of halter loop with a slipknot. With cro- ch-2 sp of right side tab with sl st. left side tab with sl st. Fasten off. Weave chet hook, work a 14" chain from this Thread strap through top ch-2 sp of left in all ends.

Single Crochet (sc) Double Crochet (dc) Figure 1 *Yarn over hook, insert hook into a stitch, yarn over hook and draw a loop through stitch (three loops on hook; Figure 1), Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 2 yarn over hook and draw it Insert hook into an edge stitch, yarn over hook and draw a through two loops (Figure 2), loop through stitch, yarn over hook (Figure 1) and draw it yarn over hook and draw it through both loops on hook (Figure 2). through the remaining two loops (Figure 3). Repeat from *. Figure 3 Slip Stitch Crochet (sl st)

Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook and draw loop through stitch and loop on hook. Ssk Decrease Slip two stitches knitwise one at a time (Figure 1). Insert point of left needle Crochet Chain (ch) into front of two slipped stitches and knit them Figure 1 Figure 2 Make a slipknot on hook. Yarn over hook and together through back loops draw it through loop of slipknot. Repeat, draw- with right needle (Figure 2). ing yarn through the last loop formed.

© Interweave Press LLC, Interweave Knits magazine. Not to be reprinted. All rights reserved. Spring 2007 I INTERWEAVE KNITS I 2 RISK-FREE TRIAL OFFER Discover knitwear designs that will capture your imagination. You don’t have to be a designer or a knitting pro to make beautiful knitted garments and accessories, and you don’t have to hunt all over for inspiring designs. From cover to cover, Interweave Knits magazine gives you great projects, from the beginner to the advanced. Every issue is packed full of captivating smart designs, step-by- step instructions, easy-to-understand illustrations, plus well-written, lively articles sure to inspire. Take advantage of this special risk-free offer today! www.interweave.com/go/knitsJPDP6